Just joined the forum but have been lurking for a while reading about my 250... I've got a 46 fire truck for sale at the moment on eBay and was curious was you all thought value wise on the forum? I know borderline nothing about the machine besides some specs given to me by its current owner, but I'm really just trying to see if I'm in the ballpark.

Don't know if I can post the link here or not...obviously something like this is highly subjective...but I've never dealt with buying/selling anything besides typical newer cars and trucks

1946 Ford Fire Truck Functioning Historical Vehicle | eBay

 

Welcome to FTE John

Pics will make all the difference

 

Having owned and sold an antique fire truck all I can tell you is that you have to find the right person. Storage is a big (pun intended!) problem. Many people would like to have a fire truck, but don't have anywhere they can put it. The smaller trucks that fit into a standard garage go for a lot more money.

You can find out a lot about antique fire apparatus at SPAAMFAA.ORG | The Antique Fire Apparatus Club of America. They have a classified section that usually has several rigs for sale.

 

My observation is they don't sell well. A local guy was cleaning out a large collection of fire trucks a couple months back, had a lot of them on ebay. I looked at them, nice trucks. 2 Fords from the 40s, one was a 45 and maybe a 42 or 46. One had 3,000 original miles and the other had 10,000. I think the 3,000 mile one brought about $2500 and the 10,000 just a little over $2000. I think they would actually be worth more if you removed the fire truck part and threw it away.

 

I would also say that the price is out of range, nice truck though.

 

On seattle Cl here have been two fire trucks forever. One in Olympia and one in Rochester. 3500 and 4000. Both Low miles, perfect for a flatbed. One has a cadlilac v8 very professionally installed and they sit month after month on Seattle CL and nobody buys them. Glad I'm over the big truck thing.....

 

John,

Check out FentonFire.com.

 

And go to seattle craigslist and type in '1946'. Been there 8 months at 3500. This thing is the bomb, couldn't get better.

 

I think old fire trucks appeal to only a very narrow sector of old truck collectors and it really is a shame. The trucks are usually in very good condition mechanically and cosmetically. They are usually drivable as is, or can be restored fairly easily. But unless you want a truck to drive in the 4th of July or Christmas Parade, what else do you do with it? Usually don't see them at the local car cruise/show. Storage is another problem. I guess they would be a good source for parts that are common to other Ford trucks. I do hope the truck finds a good home. Good luck.

 

Well, it's darn sure a nice one. My experience with hidden reserves is don't. Just make the opening bid your bottom dollar. People don't like to bid in the dark and almost nothing with hidden reserve ever sells.

 

If scrap was still wort s#it they would be a good deal. Just keep that awesome cab and low mileage drive train, and lose the rest. The 8.25 20s have value too. In the long run for the money I'd be better off with building kitchen cabinets. But gag me with a ball bearing drawer slide.

 

A 1948 from my hometown went for $3,400 on a sealed bid sale.